Online scams affected one in every 220 smartphone users in 2024 and cost victims VND18.9 trillion (US$744 million), with investment fraud being the most common, the National Cybersecurity Association said.
The NCA surveyed over 59,000 individual users online between Nov. 28 and Dec. 14. Its result, released on Dec. 16, shows that only 45.69% of victims reported the scams to authorities, while 88.98% said they informed friends and family about their experience, according to the government news portal.
The most common methods used by scammers in 2024 included fraudulent investment schemes, impersonation of government or organizational officials and fake prize and promotion offers. According to the survey, 70.72% of smartphone users encountered fraudulent financial platforms promising high, risk-free returns.
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Scam button. Illustration by Pixabay |
Some 62.08% reported impersonators posing as officials from police departments, courts, tax agencies, or banks. Scammers often coerced victims into transferring money or installing malicious software under the guise of resolving supposed legal violations.
Some 60.01% said they received vague messages about winning significant prizes, which included unclear or suspicious details aimed at deceiving them.
Scammers increasingly utilized advanced technologies such as deepfake AI to create convincing fake videos, voice messages or Chatbots to engage victims in conversations. Specialized computer-based calling systems were also used to facilitate mass calls targeting numerous people simultaneously.
Vu Ngoc Son, head of technology at the NCA warned: “Online scams are likely to persist in 2025. Alongside measures from authorities, users must stay vigilant and enhance their cybersecurity skills when using the Internet.”
